Chapter IX
"I'll help." Lucy's answer seemed to ring through their heads like a ringing bell announcing the end of a drawn-out war.
"Thank you," Natsu said to her, breaking the silence none of them had known was there.
"But what can I do?" The blonde girl looked perplexed.
"You'll figure it out," Laxus breathed, turning and walking away. "When we get there."
Looking to Natsu for an explanation, Lucy received silence and hardly any eye contact with the pink-haired boy. He simply shook his head dismissively and followed his friend.
Wendy walked beside Lucy. Wanting answers, she asked the blue-haired girl her questions. "Can you tell me more about Anna? What's she like? What's wrong with her?"
"Anna is our teacher, and she's also like a family to us. Laxus, Natsu, and I aren't the only ones, though. We were all orphans when she found us, and we were able to find our adoptive parents thanks to her.
"In a way, she's like a mother figure, too," Wendy added, looking up to the sky as the two girls walked behind the other two. Lucy saw nostalgia in the young girl's eyes.
"Is she sick?"
Wendy gave her an uncertain gaze. "I'm not sure… All I know is that I can sense her soul slipping away. No healer knows what's wrong with her, and I'm afraid we might lose her…"
"You think I can bring her soul back?!" Lucy exclaimed, shocked at the girl's nod.
"You have to! I mean, please!"
"I'll… try my best," Lucy replied, feeling sweat form on the side of her face.
Natsu, who had been listening to them, glanced over at Laxus with concern in his eyes. However, his gaze was not returned, as the blonde kept his eyes on the path ahead. Deciding not to press the subject, Natsu did the same, not saying another word.
"What does this Anna girl look like?" Lucy asked Wendy, trying to lighten the mood.
"Actually," the young girl began. "Anna looks a lot like you. And sounds the same, too," she added, wearing a thoughtful expression.
Lucy blinked. So Anna looks like her, sounds like her, and smells like her? Is she my twin?!
"S-she's a lot older than you!" Wendy assured her quickly, as if reading her mind.
"Oh," Lucy breathed, not sure how to feel. Honestly, she had mixed emotions about the whole situation.
"It's alright," Natsu called back, as if sensing that the heat waves radiating off the blonde had changed. "Anna's super nice. You'll get along with her!"
It's not my acquaintance with her that I'm worried about! she almost yelled, the only thing stopping her being Natsu's contagious smile. He smiles a lot…
"Y-yeah, sure." Lucy was still feeling upset and confused, but she knew she'd get a better explanation later.
For now, she followed the group, growing excited when, at sundown, they had finally arrived.